Charley Hull made sure to walk off the course in Seoul with a smile. Her singles victory over Japan’s ace, Ayaka Furue, alongside New Zealand’s Lydia Ko’s win, had just sealed a third-place finish for the World team at the LPGA Tour’s International Crown. But Hull’s revelation of an old chapter of her story revealed how this wasn’t the win that mattered the most. Beyond the cheers and the medal, it was a different win that Hull celebrated the most.

For Hull, her journey wasn’t just about matchplay strategy or team glory. For a major part of her life, it was more about reclaiming herself. The English star recently confronted how she had spent the past year confronting battles that couldn’t be seen on the scorecard. But why did she choose to put a stop to a habit that she took up back in her teenage days?

Last Friday, on October 24, Charley Hull carried teammate Lydia Ko to victory at the Hanwha LifePlus International Crown. Right after her stance on the course, Golfweek joined Hull for a candid conversation. Hull shared how there was a time when she had developed an unhealthy habit of drinking. “I used to drink a lot when I was 18, 19.” However, it’s been almost a decade since Charley made sure to make her relationship with alcohol just a teenage-day problem. She added, “But from 20, I don’t really drink.”

But the reason behind her giving up on what once became a habit was a deep realization. Hull shared, “I usually drink three or four times a year.” Reflecting on the reason that convinced her to give up on her drinking habit, she stated, “Alcohol causes inflammation in the skin, and inflammation is one of the biggest things that can age you.”

The 29-year-old English star further reflected on how she had made sure to take particular care of her skin. Unlike many, her skin age was almost four years younger, which was an unusual result. But as it appears, quitting her drinking habit and delving into a proper skin care regimen has indeed paid off well.

Meanwhile, right after playing alongside Lydia Ko at the International Crown, Hull had a few words to share for the Kiwi golfer.

Charley Hull and Lydia Ko’s strong bond shone through at the International Crown

This year, holding the hands of Charley Hull and Lydia Ko, the International Crown indeed turned out to be special for fans. During the meet, the media caught up with Hull. And as it appears from her words, she indeed had full faith in Ko. 

“I kind of knew Lydia was going to make the putt on the last because she had an up-and-down challenge on the last hole yesterday, an impossible up-and-down, and you got up-and-down and won 200 bucks from your caddie, so that was an easy putt compared to yesterday”, shared the English star. Lydia, too, did not miss out on the chance to show her respect for Hull.

Lydia stated, “I kind of knew Lydia was going to make the putt on the last because she had an up-and-down challenge on the last hole yesterday, an impossible up-and-down, and you got up-and-down and won 200 bucks from your caddie, so that was an easy putt compared to yesterday.” 

Ko indeed made sure to secure her tournament funding interestingly. She shares a long-standing friendship with Charley Hull, which adds to their advantage. And from the result, it was very much understandable how their mutual understanding and chemistry made it easier for them to play together throughout the tournament.